Darbaranyeswarar Temple - Tirunallar

Sri Darbaranyeswarar Temple, also spelled Darbaraneswarar Temple, is one of the most famous Lord Shani Temples (Lord Saturn) in Tamil Nadu.

Legend :

According to a legend, King Nala was badly affected with numerous problems due to the adverse effects of Saneeswaran.He took a holy dip at the temple

tank Nala Theertham and got relieved of the evil effects.

Temple :

Thirunallar temple has a five-tiered Rajagopuram and faces east. Thyagarajar shrine is found at the southern entrance and in front of it is the emerald`Nakavidangar,' installed by Musukunda Chakravarthi. Its

architectural features date back to the Chola period. Tirunallar is one of the 7 

Saptavitanka stalams of Tyagaraja connected with the Mucukunda Chola legend.

  

Deities :

Lord Shiv is known as Darbaranyeswarar here and Goddess Parvati Devi 

as Pranamambika or Bogamartha Poonmulaiammai.The magnificent shrine dedicated to Saneeswarar (Lord Shani or Saneeswaran) near the inner tower known as `Kattai Gopuram'. He faces east with `Abhaya Varada Hastham' and is considered the 'Anugraha Murthi' (one who bestows good things). His idol is placed in between the presiding deities. Shani Bhagavan, one of the 9 Navagraha (nine planets), is reputed both as a giver and destroyer.

Poojas and Offerings :

Saneeswaran is attired in black colour and the grain associated with him is sesame.He can be offered with the flowers - vanni and blue kuvalai; and rice mixed with sesame powder.

  

Special poojas and abhishekams are performed on Saturdays as

Saturday is considered special of Lord Saneeswara.

Temple Festivals :

Darbaranyeswarar Shani Temple hosts a number of festivals throughout the year.On Tamil New Year's day (Tamil Puthandu), Tyagaraja is taken in a

procession. An eighteen day festival is performed in the Tamil month of Vaikashi (when the sun resides in the sign of Taurus). Festivals related to Nataraja (the Lord of Dance) are held during the month of Aani (Gemini).

Several special services are performed to the Emerald Lingam on the full moon night in the month of Purattasi (Leo).Besides, Navaratri, Kartikai Deepam and Panguni Uthiram are also celebrated here with much devotion.

Saneeswaran and his effects in Horoscope :

When Lord Shani (Saturn) passes through the ‘Janma Rasi’ in one's birth chart,

he is said to cause difficulties to a person and when he passes through the

eighth house from one's Janma Rasi (Ashtamathu Sani) he casts more challenges.

However, the adverse effects of Shani can be relieved through prayer and by performing puja to appease Lord Shani.Sani transits from one house to another every two-and-a-half years and this is known as ‘Sani Peyarchi’.

Shani Peyarchi is one of the best known festival celebrated at Lord

Darbaranyeswarar Temple and is visited by large number of people.

Saneeswarar’s deity is taken in a procession around the town on this

auspicious occassion.

Temple Timings : 6 AM and 1 PM and 4 PM to 8 PM.

How to reach this Temple :

By Road : 

Thirunallar is 59 km from Kumbakonam, 35 km from Mayavaram

(Mayiladuturai), 140 from Pondicherry, 100 from Thanjavur, 150

from Trichy. Tirunallar can easily be accessed from Mayiladuturai or

from Nagapattinam.

By Train :

Tirunallar Railway Station is on the Peralam - Karaikal line. Mayiladuthurai

Railway Station is another major railway station near by to reach Thirunallar.

By Air :

The nearest domestic airport is the Tiruchirappalli Airport, about 160

km from Tirunallar. The nearest international airport is at Chennai,

around 300 km away.